Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

Was your Jet2 flight cancelled last minute?

A last-minute flight cancellation can be frustrating and can disrupt your travel plans, especially if you have booked everything in advance, or have multiple flights. However, it’s essential to understand that you are often protected by EU and UK laws. In many cases, you may be eligible for compensation from Jet2. If something goes wrong, Jet has a duty of care towards you.

1. Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Basics

1.1 What Is Considered a Last-Minute Flight Cancellation?

First things first, what is a last-minute flight cancellation?

A last-minute flight cancellation is when a flight is cancelled 14 days before departure, or less. So, if your flight is cancelled 0-14 days before scheduled departure date, it is considered a last-minute flight cancellation.

1.2 Why Do Last-Minute Flight Cancellations Occur?

There are many reasons why flights may be cancelled, such as mechanical issues, bad weather, crew shortages, air traffic control restrictions, security concerns, operational disruptions, medical emergencies, airspace or airport congestion, and regulatory compliance.

1.3 How Will the Airline Notify Passengers About a Last-Minute Flight Cancellation?

Airlines use various methods to notify passengers about last-minute flight cancellations, including email, text messages, phone calls, mobile apps, online accounts, and airport announcements.

Passengers should ensure their contact information is up to date and stay informed about their flight status, particularly in the hours leading up to departure.

2. Jet2 Last-Minute Flight Cancellation: Your Rights

If Jet2 cancels your flight, they must take care of you.

• If the cancellation results in a lengthy wait at the airport, Jet2 is obligated to provide you with care. If waiting time is three hours or more, you are entitled to a coupon for a complimentary meal and refreshment. In the case of an overnight delay, Jet2 must offer free hotel accommodation and transfer services.
• You must be offered a replacement flight to your intended destination at no additional cost.
• If you choose not to accept the replacement flight offered by Jet2, you have the right to a full refund. This refund can be issued either directly to your bank account or in the form of a refundable Jet2 voucher.
• In the event of a last-minute flight cancellation caused by Jet2’s fault, you may be eligible to claim flight cancellation compensation from Jet2. Keep in mind that last-minute cancellation is when a flight is cancelled up to 2 weeks prior to the original departure date. If it’s cancelled 15 or 30 days before departure, you are not entitled to compensation because it’s not a last-minute cancellation.

These compensation rules apply to all Jet2 flights (to, within and from Europe).

If your Jet2 flight is canceled and you experience a missed connection, it is important to note that the airline does not provide assistance in such situations. Jet2 operates as a point-to-point airline and does not offer airline-protected connecting flights. Therefore, if you have a connection with Jet2, it means you have booked your flights separately, resulting in a self-transfer scenario. In this case, the responsibility for planning and executing the connection falls on the passenger, and Jet2 is not liable for self-transfer trips.

Read more: Jet2 Self-Transfer Flight: What Happens if You Miss Your Connection?

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

3. What to Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Last-Minute?

Is your Jet2 flight cancelled last minute?

Then the appropriate steps to take will vary depending on your current location. If you have already departed for the airport, your course of action may differ from if you are still at home.

So, where are you right now? 

At the airport or still at home/hotel?

3.1 If You Are Still at Home or Hotel

If you are still at home or in a hotel, do not go to the airport.

Instead, contact Jet2 customer service to find out the reason for the cancellation and if your new flight will be today or tomorrow. Remember, the airline is responsible for taking care of you. If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, you are entitled to a new flight or a refund, even if it is due to extraordinary circumstances.

Make sure you discover the time of the next flight to ensure you arrive at the airport on time for your new flight.

3.2 If You Are Already at the Airport

If your initial flight has been cancelled at the last-minute, the airline will offer you a new flight.

You will need to check-in for this new flight, get a new boarding pass, and check-in your bag (if you have any). Therefore, please do not proceed through airport security yet and stay in the landside area of the airport (the area before the security checkpoint). Once you have completed the check-in process, you can proceed through security and passport control.

If you’ve already passed through security, return to the landside of the airport and seek out Jet2 representatives or information desks. Your goal is to determine the departure time for the replacement flight and secure a seat on it.

Keep in mind that Jet2 has to offer you a new flight absolutely for free. If the new flight departs only on the next day, you are entitled to a free hotel stay. Also you have a right to care.

4. Jet2 Flight Cancellation Compensation

UK/EU has set regulations for last-minute flight cancellations.

If your Jet2 flight gets canceled less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date, you may receive compensation from Jet2.

Here are the EU/UK laws:

Your flight is cancelled 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Jet2, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Your flight is cancelled less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by Jet2, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Requirements for claiming compensation:

• Flight cancelled due to the fault of Jet2, not something unavoidable;
• Flight is to/from/within Europe;
• Flight cancelled last-minute (less than 2 weeks before departure).

Read more: Jet2 Flight Cancellation Compensation

5. Jet2 Flight Cancellation Refund

In the unfortunate scenario of a Jet2 flight cancellation, you are eligible for either an alternative flight to your intended destination or a complete refund. The refund can be processed to your bank account or provided as a Jet2 voucher, depending on your preference. Your personal circumstances and future travel plans might influence this decision.

Jet2 assures that your refund will be processed within 7 days.

It’s crucial to remember that the right to compensation and the right to a refund are two separate entitlements under UK/EU flight compensation regulations. So, even if you opt for a refund, depending on the specifics of the flight cancellation, you may still qualify for compensation.

5.1 What Happens If You Cancel a Flight?

If you, as a passenger, decide to cancel your flight, the conditions for a refund may vary. Generally, the refund policy of Jet2 is based on the type of ticket you have purchased.

Fully-flexible tickets are usually refundable, depending on the fare conditions, while low-cost, non-flexible tickets might not be. It’s always recommended to check the specific conditions of your ticket or get in touch with Jet2’s customer support for further clarification. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, you may be eligible for a refund from your insurance provider.

6. How to Claim Jet2 Flight Compensation / Refund?

If you want to get a full refund for your cancelled flight, contact Jet2 using the contact form on their website. You are entitled to a refund if you don’t wish to fly anymore.

What about compensation? In the event of a last-minute flight cancellation, you may be eligible for compensation from Jet2. The key step is to file a claim, as failure to do so will result in no compensation. You can contact Jet2 customer service to initiate the claim process.

Remember, you have the right to receive compensation, and you are not obligated to accept travel vouchers. As per EC Regulation 261, compensation for flight disruptions within the EU must be directly transferred to your bank account. The amount of compensation is predetermined, ranging from 250 to 600 euros.

Alternatively, you can opt for a hassle-free approach by seeking legal representation. A flight compensation company can handle the entire process on your behalf, including making the compensation claim and managing the necessary procedures.

Read more:

• Your Jet2 Refund Is Taking Forever? Here’s Your Plan of Action
• Your Jet2 Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?

Last-minute flight cancellation – have you ever experienced that? How did the airline solve that? Do you still have questions about Jet2 compensation policies? Ask in the comments.